Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-21
A Western Man Who Offers Two Patri-
Otic Relics to the Government.

Prof. Baird, the Secretary Of the Smithsonian
Institution, receives many unique letters in the
mass Of correspondence that comes to him every
day from all parts Of the country. Some OF his
correspondents adopt the photographic method in
writing the name OF the Institution and in this
way the professor finds that he Is at the head OF
the ''Smiths' Onion Institute" Recently Prof
Baird received the following letter from man in
small village in western State, which shows
that in that section OF the country the memorials
Of patriotic deeds are appreciated by one man, at
least:
81 own and have in my passion most highly
priced Relic for the 8. INSTITUTE, have bin trying TO
get it placed there. One your create Washington
ID G men told me by letter that I could get It.
placed there very easy our Representative could get
section OF land for It as 1t would be great relic In
future days to come wrote TO our representative
| stating to him the way it is but he claimed he
couident do 1t but he is out now. l have always
voted the democrat ticket OF course the other
that comes in his place is OF the opposite side
was entitled to the post Office by knowing some
thing about it and got petition up the voters
was on it that got there mails at thir Office sent
mine On and there was no notice taken OF 1t the
OF those under age. I was told boys because
my petition was not in favor OF the
and void then thought that our representa-
tive would put this through for me but dide not
hope to hear the way from YOU. Also pleas give
Inc the Instructions and help me through and
should 1t cost something why will make it all
right with you. have Family a Wife and 8
children and want farm. 1t wouldn't be much to
the government. Section Of government land in
Iowa or Kansas as near TO settled up country as
possible IL wouldn't cost much TO buy Section OF
government land but the thing Is to have that
much money to buy with. Ii some rich man had
1t worth his million OF dollars he would have no
trobie perhaps in getting 3 or sections for it.
Now mabe you know a party that will trade Inc
1 section Of land for it and he have the homer OF
plaSing 1T there. Mabe president Cleveland will
have the notion if he hears about it. Find me
fOr nr M 1Sl ho Tn mr.
1t over to my father he is a republican suite the
times as it is a republican Representative from
this Part 1T no doubt will be worth
may not need it any more then. win be laide
under the sod by that time. want the farm now
and pleas tell how to CO. The bell was made in
or clost to Philadelphia Pa can give the history
IN full OF the bell it was good ringing bell II
years almost past since 1t cracked. Now If don't
soon get IT exchanged as have proposed am go
ing TO advertise 1t Relic and not the least
but trouble is 1t may go out OF this country and
when we would want TO get 1t back it would cost
big sum OF money and I would rather keep it In
this country. Yours Respectfully"
CRACKED IN 1876.
The writer of the above inclOses the following
account of how the bell became "Relic":
"Centennel Cracked Liberty Bell of 1876 Pre-
viOus to the 4th OF July 1876 the citizens of -
resolved to celebrate the one hundred year OF the
American independence Whereupon was chosen
President was appointed for that occasion and
was appointed to ring the SchOolhouse bell early
in the morning for to let the people OF this vicinity
Of the American independence had dawned Ac-
cOrd1ng to appointment -r rang the bell. After
about ten mlnuts ringing the bell cracked and con-
cracked Liberty Bell Of 1876, and likely the only
one in the United States and said bell is now In
the possion OF and ouned by -"
writer that he might apply to the General Land
ONCE as the public land came within the jur1S-
diction OF that Office.
OFFERS TO THROW IN A HISTORICAL ROOSTER.
This suggestion was apparently acted upon, for
in short time Prof. Baird received the following
letter and wrote to the general land Office and got
back answer. He says he hasn't the power to
make the exchange. Now am at loss to know
Where TO out made you can find me man or party
that Will exchange me one section of land for the
Centennial Bell OF 1876, w1ch hold in my pos
sion. II you do will give you S25 dol to find
as have deeds will pay you the money land in
Kansas or Iowa or near there would like to get as
good pece Of land as possible, but SO 1T Is one
| one other Relic w1ch have bin thinking Of
selling or trading to our Honorable President
Cleveland the Rooster that wintred on the
president wich will be relic for him some day. He
could have him ettred telling about it and have 1t
placed In the Smithsonian institute; Now he
would be the man II he would exchange me
SETON OF land would give him the Rooster In
with the Bell and he could place them IN tne
5 and carry the homer years
Prof Baird has not called to the attention OF the
President this opportunity to make dicker, and,
is probable that the proprietor Of these '.relics"
will have to appeal to the enete mOnarchies OF
Europe and these evidences OF the PATRIOTIC fervor
OF the citizens OF that western village WILL in all
probability, pass into alien hands
JEWELLERS DIsCHARGNG UNION MRN.-T1nany &